A positive business dining experience is an important skill to master. The goal is to be familiar with dining etiquette so you won't have to focus on it, rather focus on the purpose of the business dining occasion. Dinner poise is one more indication of your education. Modern rules are designed to help you show consideration for others and to make eating together an enjoyable, comfortable occasion. Excessive strictness, however, appears to no longer be the norm, but I promise that inappropriate table manners will be remembered! Here are a few quick suggestions:
1. If you are unsure how to proceed with a dish or which spoon to use, wait a few moments. Someone else at the table will likely initiate the action and you may then nonchalantly follow suit (unless you are the etiquette consultant...and then everyone is watching you...).
2. The rules governing the use of flatware are: start from the outside fork or spoon and work in as each course is served; keep used flatware on the plate, not on the tablecloth; place the knife and fork side by side on your plate to indicate to the waiter when you have finished your meal.
3. You may find a finger bowl on the table at very formal restaurants, which may appear before or after the meal. Dip only your fingers into the water and dry them with your napkins below table level.
4. Place your napkin on your lap shortly after being seated. Unfold it to a comfortable size (usually so that it is still folded in half) and use it as needed to remove crumbs from your mouth before drinking. When finished, place it unfolded to the left of the plate.
5. Bread or rolls should be broken into only the size of one bite and then that piece buttered. Do NOT make a "butter sandwich" nor use a roll to wipe a plate.
6. Be seated and unseat yourself quietly, and always from the right of the chair.
7. Excuse yourself if you leave the table for any reason.
8. Maintain good posture. Don't support yourself with your elbows. An elbow on the table is permissible before and after the meal and between courses, but not while eating.
9. When wearing lipstick blot your lips in private before dinner to avoid getting lipstick on the water or wine glasses.
10. Refrain from reaching across someone. If an item is not within reach, politely ask for it to be passed.
11. To ask for something to be brought, or to request a change in improperly prepared food, firmly yet politely address the waiter or attendant without bringing your request to the attention of other diners.
12. Don't slurp, smack your lips or speak with food in your mouth. These errors are more common than you think. Accidental slurping or spilling is easily handled with a quiet apology.
13. Drink slowly and noiselessly after sweeping your lips with your napkin to remove particles that may stick to the glass.
14. The soup spoon is moved away from the body during formal dinners. To extract the last bit of soup tilt the bowl slightly away from you and spoon it out. Then rest the spoon in the bowl or on the plate under it.
15. Eat the main course using the larger fork and knife. To learn more about the American or Continental methods of dining, please ask for a consultation with me - Tea 101 to the rescue!
16. To remove pits or bones from your mouth, cup your fingers to hide the food, bring the napkin to the mouth, and place particles discreetly on the side of your plate.
17. Never spit out food that's TOO hot. Strategically and calmly take a drink.
18. Drenching food with salt & pepper, catsup or other bottled sauce can be viewed as an insult.
19. First transfer pats of butter (using a fork) or jams/jellies (using a spoon) to your plate, then spread them onto your breads using the butter knife provided with your table setting.
20. Stirring or mashing food on your plate is offensive. A baked potato is generally eaten as it is forked from the shell.
These are just a few of the tips I have to share - more to come on eating fried chicken, corn on the cob, spaghetti and using toothpicks!
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